Page 74 of Hell Kissed
This close, I can see all the scars and injuries that line his matted fur from previous battles he’s fought or had to defend himself against.
“I don’t want them to have to hurt you,” I tell him honestly. “Don’t do this.” Command fills my tone as I straighten my shoulders. My feet slide backward in the ashy dirt, one smooth footfall at a time as the hound stalks closer, hunting his easy prey.
He bares his teeth at me and lunges. I dart to the right, narrowly escaping the crash of jaws and gnashing of teeth as he growls and attacks.
The swipe of his big paw catches the edge of my arm as I try to duck out of his reach. Blood trickles out of the slashing wounds, but my wolf presses close, pushing her healing abilities into the injury until it begins knitting together.
Despite being hurt, I don’t want to retaliate the way my entourage of men rushing forward want to do.
I turn and hold my hands up at the three of them, searing them with an angry glare that slows their steps instantly.
“It’s not his fault this is what he’s trained to do.” The reprimand pulls Latham up short, his expression bleeding from furious to sheepish as he realizes what I say is right. “This is all he knows. Violence. Blood. Pain.”
I whirl, and the hound lowers his stance, ready to attack once more from where he spun around, never giving me his back. Another learned behavior. I know that feeling.
And my heart wins out. My magic unfurls. The power inside me builds until I push it toward Garm.
I let my shift wash over me, tearing at my limbs and ripping apart my joints in a scream-riddled moment of pain. The food in my hand falls to the ground. My four paws dig into the dirt as I stretch, pick up the dried meat, and walk slowly toward the hellhound.
His head tilts curiously at my white wolf.
Warm magic is a steady stream between us as I lope closer, taking it as a good sign that he’s not attacking.
Setting the meat down in front of him, I nudge it with my nose. In comparison to Garm’s size, it’s nothing more than a kibble, but I doubt anyone has brought him anything this fresh in a long time, unless you count anyone he gets to rip apart and snack on.
He bares his teeth, sneering at the gift like it’s poisoned.
I cock my head, staring. Then I lower my snout and take a tentative bite of the offering.
The growling stops, and the wolf tilts his head like I just did, staring at me with confusion.
I nudge the meat again, and this time he rakes it closer with a powerful paw.
Dipping low, he sniffs it, then licks it, then dives in, tearing it apart in a second flat, leaving no trace of it behind.
Shifting back, I stand before the beast fully naked, uncaring about my nudity. My chin lifts high, my gaze matching his with respect and care. A few steps and I’m able to dig my hand into his matted fur.
“I wish I could brush this for you. It’d hurt more than feel good right now, but every girl knows if you don’t brush away the knots, they just get worse. I bet no one has taken any time to groom you since you were born, have they?” My palm runs over the soft fur, taking in the numerous dips and scars and roughened skin beneath. This poor creature has been through hell for a being that lives just outside of it.
I send another wave of that mysterious power in my veins, and the hellhound lies down at my feet. His big eyes look up at me and my whole fucking heart melts for him.
As my nails dig behind his ears and around his neck, he rolls over fully for me to get his belly too.
“Aww.” I smile down at the good boy.
“The fuck?” Aric whispers, inching closer now that I’ve tamed the big bad wolf.
“Have you ever seen anything like this?” Latham asks.
“I’ve been through this gate a few times. I won’t lie, I’m responsible for a few of those scars. And I’ve never seen him act like this before.” Torben scratches his blond beard in astonishment. “We’re sure the meat wasn’t poisoned with something?” He swings his attention to Aric.
“If it was poisoned, I’d be getting fucking belly rubs right now too, dammit.”
“He just needed a little love,” I say, reaching up to scratch behind Garm’s ear again. He leans his head into me, licking his chops as he cranes his neck to get a better angle on my ministrations.
“Doesn’t everyone?” Aric grins. He sighs and runs a hand down his face. The day clings to us all, and once again Latham hands me another bundle of conjured clothing. I step back from the sweet hound, his lazy gaze following me. I stagger as I step into the black pants and pull on the crop top and boots. The neckline is high, but the entire expanse of my stomach is on display, keeping it modest and yet extremely sexy simultaneously. A feat most girls try to accomplish daily. Latham just gets it. I appreciate him in a way I can’t put into words. I’ve never had someone take care of me like he does.
I don’t even think he realizes it. He just gives. Freely.
